Exodus at the Daily News: Staff Departure Amidst Office Relocation and Dwindling Subscriptions

ALAMOGORDO – The revolving door at the Alamogordo Daily News continues to spin as Sarah Rubinstein, the paper’s lead reporter, officially resigned her post effective Friday, March 28, 2026. Her departure is the latest in a series of high-profile exits and logistical shifts that have defined the publication since its acquisition by El Rito Media, LLC.

A Pattern of Leadership Turnover

Rubinstein, who joined the newsroom in June 2025 following the takeover, was the longest-tenured member of the current  staff at just ten months. Her exit follows the departure of other key figures, most notably Elva K. Österreich—a veteran journalist with deep roots in the community—and Publisher Josh Byers, who left the organization in January 2026.

Internal rumbles suggest that these departures are tied to mounting frustration over "top-down" editorial decision-making from corporate leadership. While Rubinstein publicly cited “a desire to return to the East Coast”, the rapid turnover of reporters, editors, and sales staff has left the organization struggling to maintain its local footing.

Office Closures and Physical Dislocation

Adding to the sense of turmoil is the loss of the paper’s physical presence in the community. The Daily News closed its long-standing main offices. For a period, the newsroom operated out of temporarily rented space located within the Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce building. 

However, the paper is now reportedly vacating that location as well, following  concerns regarding a perceived conflict of interest between a supposedly independent news organization and the city's primary business advocacy group. This move leaves the "paper of record" without a stable staff nor a stable base of operations.

Shrinking Reach and Delivery Hurdles

The internal instability is reflected in the paper’s declining market share. According to the publication's own marketing data, paid subscriptions have plummeted to fewer than 1,500, a fraction of the circulation numbers seen in previous years.

This decline is attributed to several radical changes to the distribution model:

• Reduced Printing: The paper is now only printed three days a week with limited local Alamogordo centric news.

• Mail-Only Delivery: The transition from traditional carrier routes to postal delivery has frustrated subscribers who now receive news a day or more late.

• Staffing Deficit: Digital competitors, such as 2nd Life Media (AlamogordoTownNews.org) and KALHRadio.org, now field more active reporters in Otero County than the legacy print outlet.

A Legislative Lifeline?

The timing of these struggles coincides with a new legislative effort to save local journalism. In March 2026, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed Senate Bill 151 (SB 151), establishing the "Local Journalist Employment Tax Credit." The bill offers a 30% refundable tax credit (up to $15,000 per reporter) for local, non-publicly traded news organizations.

While this credit is designed to help local outlets retain talent like Rubinstein and Österreich, it remains to be seen if the Alamogordo Daily News can leverage these incentives to reverse its current trajectory of shrinking membership and frequent staff turnover. Until then, stay tuned to AlamogordoTownNews.org and KALHRadio.org for investigative reporting, daily news, community forums and what’s important to the local community. 

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